State

Panel suggests robust IT-based Inner Line Permit system in state

Calling for meeting the objectives of BEFR regulations in letter and spirit, the Committee on Inner Line Permit (ILP) has proposed a robust IT-based ILP system in the State to ensure issuing, monitoring and tracking of ILPs.

In its report to the State cabinet on February 15 this year, the committee stressed that while the ILP system should facilitate visits of genuine tourists and legal migrants coming for work, it should be foolproof to ensure that no illegal migrants can enter.

The panel also recommended constitution of a permanent ILP committee in the State Home department under home commissioner for reviewing guidelines and exemption list. A similar monitoring committee would also be set up in all district headquarters headed by deputy commissioners (DC) to function under the permanent ILP committee in the home department.

Under the proposed system, Aadhaar will become mandatory for people from rest of India, while for residents of Assam, it will be NRC.

Recommending enabling of electronic authentication of Aadhaar numbers with Aadhaar database without any manual intervention, the committee specified that for people of Assam, the authentication should be the NRC database. “No ILPs should be issued for people from Assam whose names are not included in NRC,” it specified. The committee also suggested issuing ILPs with QR codes and SMS-based verification.

While mentioning that all important check gates – in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha and Mon – should be automated with IT system, CCTV and training of manpower, the committee contended that this would allow issue of ILPs using online system, provided the applicants are able to produce the documents.

It said proper records should be maintained to ensure that entry and exit of ILP holders were properly monitored, while SMS verification would ensure that verification can be done by sending a text message to a centralised number that will reply back with names and details of ILP holder along with period of validity.

Further, under the proposed new system, ILP holders will be required to keep ILPs in digital form, if they have a mobile phone, along with a photo ID proof. Those without a mobile phone will keep paper ILPs.

While family ILPs will be issued for the spouse and children of the primary applicant based on the credentials of the primary applicant, Aadhaar and NRC authentication for all applicants will be ensured under the new system.

The committee said guarantors would also need to keep their copies of ILPs they had sponsored with them, while private guarantors can guarantee a maximum of 10 employees normally. Further, investors and businessmen will be allowed to sponsor higher number of ILPs under the new system, subject to the condition that they employ an equal number of locals.

For entrepreneurs and big investors, permanent ILP committee under the home department could consider granting long-term ILPs on a case-to-case basis, the panel suggested.

Government departments and PSUs will be allowed to sponsor higher number of ILPs, subject to the condition that they are able to justify to the ILP committee as to why local indigenous youth cannot be employed for the same purposes.

Tourist ILPs can be for shorter durations (from 15 days to 30 days), whereas normal ILPs with due verification of Aadhaar can be issued annually.

Electronic system will ensure that guarantors cannot sponsor more than the maximum numbers allowed, while the ILPs will be issued online as also from the offices of DCs and resident commissioners, and at airport and railway station.

Also, an ILP app will be developed that will allow issue, renewal and checking by enforcement authorities.

Departments issuing trade Licenses will ensure that no trade licenses are issued to people beyond the period of validity of ILPs.

The online system will generate alerts to the respective administrative officers and police stations, in case there is no renewal and the ILP holder overstays in the State beyond the period of validity.

Penal provisions will be made up for violations and guarantors will also be barred from sponsoring any ILPs in case of default.

The panel stressed that no genuine migrants with valid ILPs and documents should be harassed by anyone by insisting on any ID other than or in addition to the ILP issued by the government.

On ILP in Dimapur: With regard to inclusion of Dimapur under the Inner Line Permit System (ILP), the committee in its recommendation stated that “a proper decision needs to be taken by the state government as per the Pros and Cons” mentioned in the report.

As per the view of the Law & Justice department in the report, the state government can issue a notification under sub clause 2 of the BEFR, 1873. The department further stated that there is no legal impediment to the extension of ILP system in Dimapur.

Commissioner of Nagaland, Commissioner Police Dimapur and DC Dimapur also expressed their views that the real challenge will be in practical implementation of the ILP system in Dimapur.